The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through, the [[The Family History Library|Family History Library]] or the [http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)] located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Hamilton County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the [[IRAD - Southern Illinois University|SIU IRAD Wiki page.]]

The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through, the [[The Family History Library|Family History Library]] or the [http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/iradsrch.html Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD)] located at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) - search for Hamilton County records. For information on how to use IRAD see the [[IRAD - Southern Illinois University|SIU IRAD Wiki page.]]

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<br> '''Online Resources'''

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'''Online Resources'''

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:'''1823-1933''' An unspecified number of {{RecordSearch|1834344|Illinois, Probate Records}} are available at the Family Search Records online database. The collection does not have an every name index, but the images are available to browse and may often have indexes contained within each volume.

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:*'''1823–1933 '''The probate journals and will records for Hamilton County probate records are also available in {{RecordSearch|1834344|Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970}}. Click on the browse through images link, select Hamilton County, and select the record type you are interested in.

:*'''1823–1933 '''The probate journals and will records for Hamilton County probate records are also available in {{RecordSearch|1834344|Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970}}. Click on the browse through images link, select Hamilton County, and select the record type you are interested in.

County Organization

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Hamilton County are kept, see the Hamilton County Courthouse page.

Historical Facts

Hamilton County is named for Alexander Hamilton who was the first Secretary of Treasury (1789–1795), and Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army in 1799.

Parent County

1821--Hamilton County was created 8 February 1821 from White County. County seat: McLeansboro.

A volunteer through Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness is willing to provide names and dates from tombstones at three Catholic churches in Hamilton County: St. John the Baptist, Pinopolis; St. John Nepomucene, Dahlgren; and St. Clement's, McLeansboro. Click here to learn more.

Church Records

Catholic

FamilySearch has made parish records from three Belleville Diocese Catholic churches in Hamilton County available online (requires free registration). The records include first communions, confirmations, marriages, and deaths:

Boyd, Gregory A. Family maps of Hamilton County, Illinois.Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Pub. Co., c2007. WorldCat 180941793FHL book 977.395 E7b This book plats the land of many nineteenth-century Hamilton County residents. The publisher's bookstore includes a free online surname listing.

Maps

Military Records

Civil WarCivil War service men from Hamilton County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies or regiments that were formed from men of Hamilton County.

1823–1933 The probate journals and will records for Hamilton County probate records are also available in Illinois, Probate Records, 1819-1970. Click on the browse through images link, select Hamilton County, and select the record type you are interested in.

Repositories

County Courthouse

County records are most often kept at the County Courthouse or another local repository. For further information about where the records for Hamilton County are kept, see the Hamilton County Courthouse page.

Family History Centers

Illinois Regional Archives Depostitories

Public Libraries

Social Groups Online

Societies

Genealogical Society of Southern Illinois has a page with details about its' activities.

Taxation

Vital Records

Vital records consist of birth, death, marriage and divorce records. Original birth and death certificates recorded until the year 1916 are kept by the Hamilton County Clerk while those recorded after 1916 are kept by the Illinois Department of Public Health. a copy to the County Clerk. Original marriage records are usually kept by the County Clerk from the establishment of the county to the present. Original divorce records are generally in the office of the Circuit Court Clerk.

The following abstracts and copies of original records may be accessed through online databases and the Family History Library.

Marriage

1821–1870 Harrelson, Ralph S. Marriages, information taken from original marriage documents old marriage record books relative to marriages celebrated in Hamilton County, Illinois, 1821-1870 also a record of marriages celebrated in White County, Illinois, 1816 through 1821. Carterville, Illinois: Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois, c1986.WorldCat 16882912FHL book 977.39 V28h

To see a list of places in Hamilton County, click on [Show], in the bar above. The preceding list of places includes incorporated cities and towns, unincorporated towns and communities, and place names that may have been used in family histories. Some have well-organized records and even have web sites. Some are simply social communities with no official records, but which may be referenced in small-town newspapers. The list is provided to help researchers identify localities within the county. As records or histories of these localities are identified, a page will be added for each of these place names.

Web Sites

The Yesterdays of Hamilton County, Illinois. Bible records, biographies, cemeteries, census records, churches, deeds, family records & essays, government/court/crime, histories, old letters, the lighter side, lists/directories, maps, marriages, military, miscellanous, news clippings, obituaries, old photos, wills, queries/researchers, books for sale, links, recent updates, area announcements, site search, lost and found. Carol Lee Yarbough is the branchild behind this valuable resource. It is one of the best places to start Hamilton County, Illinois genealogy searches.

USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.